149 -146- Feelings

"How do you feel?"

"What do you mean by 'how do I feel'?"

In Zoran's shop, Linwin and Kai'Sa sat facing each other, having a late-night snack. Kai'Sa had a bowl of steaming milk and fruit, while

Linwin had a bowl of noodles. Sweet things didn't suit Linwin's taste, but Kai'Sa enjoyed desserts.

Currently, Viktor and Zevi weren't at home. The two scientists usually stayed at the laboratory when they weren't home.

Despite the rooms having new occupants, in practice, Linwin, Kai'Sa, and Zoran still lived in Zoran's shop.

"How does it feel to be an idol?"

Linwin put down his chopsticks and asked Kai'Sa with a smile.

Hearing this, Kai'Sa hesitated. Her red lips tightened, and the two purple lines on her cheeks moved slightly as she sniffed. Looking at Linwin's smiling face, Kai'Sa said, "I don't know what to say."

"Have I made a mistake? I've never done something like this before. Can I back out now?"

"Of course not!" Linwin immediately rejected, saying firmly, "The collaboration among the four of you is so good, and since you've promised me, you must take it seriously. After all, the Kai'Sa I know is not someone who breaks her word."

"You deceived me; I never agreed to it."

Kai'Sa said without much enthusiasm, scooping the fruits from her milk with a spoon and putting them into her mouth.

The sweetness of the fruits, accompanied by the rich flavor of the milk, made Kai'Sa's eyes involuntarily narrow. Although she was used to having late-night snacks, every time she did, Kai'Sa felt a sense of happiness.

In Shurima, she ate once every three days. But here, it was normal to have five or six meals a day.

Breakfast in the morning, lunch at noon, afternoon tea in the afternoon, and dinner at night.

As for the late-night snack, Linwin called it supper.

Swallowing the fruits, Kai'Sa continued, "And in my opinion, whether I'm in it or not, this idol group you mentioned is the same, right? I don't think I contribute much."

"It's not like that at all."

Linwin shook his head.

Kai'Sa was indispensable in the KDA idol group. Linwin believed that in the KDA team he envisioned, Ahri was undoubtedly the soul, but next in line was Kai'Sa. As the team's dance leader, Kai'Sa was genuinely popular among players.

Like now, hearing Linwin's response, Kai'Sa fell silent, eating her food. After a while, she asked, "Really?"

"Of course, it's true."

"."

Kai'Sa fell silent again.

After finishing their meal, the bowls were placed in the sink. Even though both were non-human beings, they shared a common thought at the moment: they didn't want to wash the dishes!

"Forget it, let's leave the dishes for old Zoran to wash tomorrow. After a few grumbles, he'll still end up doing it."

Linwin leaned back in his chair, lazily stating.

Kai'Sa decisively nodded.

In the past, Kai'Sa would have taken the initiative to wash the dishes because she would feel embarrassed. But now, influenced by Linwin, she had become lazy.

She had learned to enjoy life.

"I'm going to take a shower. Oh, and remember to rest early."

Linwin stood up, addressing Kai'Sa before heading towards his room.

After preparing clean clothes, Linwin left the room, entering the bathroom. Meanwhile, the purple figure that was originally in the living room disappeared. Kai'Sa, wearing a purple dress, returned to her room.

After changing into fresh and clean clothes, Linwin finished his hygiene routine. Back in his room, he sat on the edge of the bed, drying his hair. As he wiped his hair, he contemplated the tasks he needed to accomplish in the next few days.

Jayce had provided the timeline for completing the stage. The earliest completion would be in early February, while the latest would be in mid-February, which coincided with Progress Day, a joint festival of Piltover and Zaun that was definitely going to be held in February.

The focus of Progress Day was the evening celebration initiated by Seraphine.

Another unexpected development was the arrival of Demacian figures—Lux and Fiora.

Lux wanted to stay in Zaun, possibly due to Camille's influence or Linwin's abilities. Fiora, on the other hand, insisted on challenging Linwin and was now residing in one of the community in the depths of Zaun.

Should they try to win over Demacia?

Amused by the thought, Linwin shook his head.

Demacia was too conservative and arrogant. Although it appeared to be flourishing, Linwin knew that internal tensions were brewing, and a mage uprising in Demacia was imminent, led by a powerful mage named Sylas.

Now, seeing Lux appear in Zaun with a cheerful smile, it might indicate that Sylas's rebellion hadn't succeeded yet.

Or was he still imprisoned by Demacia?

Linwin couldn't be sure. The timelines in Demacia were complex and didn't always connect.

Therefore, Linwin knew about significant events that would happen in Demacia in the future, but the exact timing was unclear.

//// I know there's this new mageseeker game, but remember that this story was written before the mageseeker game////

Lost in thought, Linwin pondered.

As time passed, it was now the year 985 in Noxus' calendar. Some events were approaching.

Linwin was still contemplating when the door was knocked.

"Linwin."

The voice outside the door belonged to Kai'Sa.

"I have something to ask for your help."

Kai'Sa spoke softly. Linwin, upon hearing her, floated over from the bed and opened the door.

Outside, Kai'Sa had shed the purple dress she wore earlier.

However, what struck Linwin as odd was that Kai'Sa had removed her clothes but still wore the tall boots and black stockings, looking up at him with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

Linwin, looking at Kai'Sa, asked, "What's going on?"

"Come with me."

Kai'Sa hesitated for a moment but ultimately bit her lip and spoke up.

She needed Linwin's help with something.

Linwin had no idea what Kai'Sa wanted to do, so he followed her into her room.

Kai'Sa's room carried a faint fragrance, not from Kai'Sa herself but from an air freshener. After all, apart from her hair, Kai'Sa didn't have any scent on her, neither pleasant nor unpleasant, since she wore a full suit of exoskeleton.

"So, what do you need me to do?"

Linwin redirected his gaze to Kai'Sa.

However, when he looked at her, he was taken aback. Kai'Sa was sitting on the floor, and then she bent forward, extending her well-proportioned legs and reaching toward the buckles of her boots as if attempting to unfasten them. Due to the material and length of the boots, they were stuck on her legs, preventing her from bending them, leaving her legs stretched straight.

"I can't take off these boots; they're stuck."

Kai'Sa, with her head lowered and black hair falling to cover half of her face, spoke softly.

"Is that what this is about?"

Linwin halted his floating movements and descended to the ground, standing before Kai'Sa.

Kai'Sa's room was different from his. The floor was covered with a thick layer of wool, warm and clean—a sign of Zoran's care for Kai'Sa.

Perhaps, in Zoran's eyes, Kai'Sa was an inexperienced young girl who needed looking after, despite her strength.

Squatting down in front of Kai'Sa, Linwin looked at her and said, "What do you want me to do?"

"Help me take off the boots."

Kai'Sa raised her head, a bit embarrassed, and said, "I've tried several times, but I can't undo them. If I force it, I might damage them. It's the first time I've worn such pretty shoes."

"."

"You should have told me earlier. If you were going to wear these shoes, you should have had someone help you put them on, let alone take them off."

Linwin didn't mock Kai'Sa because the boots she wore were the same as Seraphine's, reaching almost to the knee. With the tough leather material and over a dozen buckles to fasten, putting them on was undoubtedly challenging.

In the afternoon, there were two people helping Kai'Sa with the process.

"Don't move."

Linwin extended his hands and began to undo the buckles on Kai'Sa's boots.

There were more than ten sections to unlock, and Kai'Sa had managed to undo the ones at the top herself.

"Why did you tighten them so much?"

Linwin looked up at Kai'Sa. "Did you tie them into a knot? Are you an Idiot?"

"I'm not an idiot." Kai'Sa muttered but dared not look at Linwin, only turning her head away with a pouting retort.

She... she just didn't understand this!

She had undone the front, but the back proved more challenging. After trying several times, Kai'Sa got impatient and tugged at the front ropes, thinking that if she pulled them out, the shoes would be easy to take off.

If the ropes came out, the shoes would be easy to take off—this wasn't knowledge; it was common sense!

However, instead of loosening, the ropes became tighter.

Seeing Kai'Sa not looking at him, Linwin could only helplessly look at the buckles. The top ropes were pulled too tight by Kai'Sa, making them difficult to untie.

In this situation, Linwin had to use his left hand to feel Kai'Sa's right leg, then inserted his fingers at the edge of the boot.

"Stretch your leg down a bit and move it slightly. Let the ropes loosen."

Directly tearing them apart would be simple, and Linwin could even use the wind to cut them open. But Kai'Sa had said she didn't want the boots to be damaged, so Linwin had to respect her wishes.

What?

I, Linwin, am certainly not touching Kai'Sa's leg for any other reason!

Kai'Sa was startled by Linwin's actions and wanted to say something, but seeing Linwin's expressionless face, she felt a strange sensation inside.

Her legs... to be honest, it was the first time they were being touched like this.

Kai'Sa found this feeling quite strange.

Was it only like this with Linwin, or would anyone feel this way when touched?

Her heart also felt strange.

The exoskeleton also became itchy, as if hungry?

Kai'Sa answered Linwin in a very soft voice, "Alright, I get it."

And Linwin?

Though his face remained calm, his heart was in turmoil.

Touching Kai'Sa's legs, wrapped in stockings, felt strange.

First was the smooth sensation brought by the black stockings, comfortable to touch. But on the other hand, there was a somewhat hard feeling.

Linwin knew that it was a shallow layer of exoskeleton on Kai'Sa's legs.

This feeling made Linwin momentarily lose his focus. He was actually touching Kai'Sa's legs!

But quickly, he calmed himself in his heart.

With his fingers moving, Linwin propped up the edge of the boots with one hand and pulled on the shoe's surface with the other. Pulling up and down several times, Linwin's left hand could reach even further inside.

However, this made it seem like Linwin was wrapping Kai'Sa's leg with his palm and caressing it.

"Mm."

Kai'Sa suddenly made a soft sound.

Linwin was startled, swearing he didn't touch her improperly!

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're in pain."

"No, it's a bit itchy."

"Good then."

"Why good?" Kai'Sa looked at Linwin, her face slightly red in the dim light. "Why is it good?"

"Don't ask."

Linwin gave Kai'Sa a helpless look and proceeded to help her take off the boots, lowering his head with deliberately slow movements.

---

In the room, though it was quiet, there seemed to be a bubbling sound, as if bubbles were rising.

The atmosphere in the room became unusual.

In the warm orange light, Kai'Sa, on the wool carpet, supported herself with her hands and placed her legs on Linwin's thighs as he knelt. She alternated between lowering and raising her head, looking at the patterns in the wool on the floor and the shadows on the ceiling.

But when she saw Linwin's shadow, she immediately chose to lower her head again.

In short, she avoided looking at Linwin!

"Alright, this one is off."

After removing the boot from Kai'Sa's right leg, Linwin coughed heavily, naturally extended his hand, and lifted Kai'Sa's left leg. "Now, this one."

"Oh."

Bringing back the other leg, Kai'Sa moved a bit, making it easier for Linwin to touch her leg.

With the experience of removing one boot, Linwin quickly took off the boot from Kai'Sa's left leg.

Then...

"!"

"What are you doing?"

Linwin was stunned and quickly answered Kai'Sa, "Aren't you taking off your socks?"

Kai'Sa hurriedly responded to Linwin's question, "I can do it myself!"

Refusing Linwin's "kind offer," Kai'Sa retracted her foot. However, her subsequent movements were like she was hiding her legs.

But Kai'Sa also knew, hide?

That was impossible.

With this exoskeleton, this was the first time in decades that she wore a skirt, the first time she wore stockings, and the first time... wearing shoes.

Clearly, she never felt strange about herself before, but at this moment, Kai'Sa didn't want Linwin to see.

So, the atmosphere became awkward.

As Linwin touched his face, preparing to leave, Kai'Sa suddenly spoke up:

"Linwin, are my feet... strange?"

////Nah you're feet is amazing////

As Kai'Sa spoke, she pressed her hands against the edge of the black socks, bent down, and slowly removed the socks.

Revealing her legs, which were different from ordinary people.

Powerful and agile thighs, long and well-proportioned calves.

Those were a pair of very beautiful legs.

But... on these beautiful legs, there was a purple exoskeleton covering them, and even small spines.

These shells made Kai'Sa's legs not look smooth.

They were even somewhat uneven.

And her soles were also different from humans.

The thick, purple skin outlined the arch of her foot, like a... high-heeled shoe?

"What?"

Linwin was instantly stunned.

Damn, how should he respond to this?

Was it because she discovered the thing about him always looking at her legs from behind?

Linwin placed his hand in front of his mouth, coughed heavily, and stammered, "Uh, well, it's just like that. I really like...."

But Kai'Sa's self-talk interrupted Linwin, "I saw Powder and the others changing clothes this afternoon."

"I'm different from them. Today, wearing beautiful clothes and nice shoes, I can't deny that I'm indeed different from them."

Hearing this, Linwin subconsciously said, "What's different?"

"Are you talking about the figure?"

"Powder indeed doesn't have much of a figure."

"But Kai'Sa, your figure is perfect, especially your legs. I really like them."

The atmosphere was strange, coupled with the previous leg-touching actions, Linwin involuntarily revealed his true feelings.

And then...

Kai'Sa: "!!!"

Kai'Sa: "???"

Kai'Sa: ()?

Linwin: "Uh"

"By the way, since I've helped you take off the shoes, is everything okay now? Well, I have a lot to do tomorrow, so I'll head back to my room."

Being looked at by Kai'Sa with a strange expression, Linwin quickly stood up, ran to the door, opened and closed it, but left Kai'Sa with a parting remark:

"It's already late now, remember to sleep early."

"You still have to continue practicing dancing tomorrow."

Linwin, three minutes after leaving.

Kai'Sa lay on the bed, covered with a blanket, only revealing a small head. With her hands pressed on the edge of the blanket, Kai'Sa pursed her lips.

Being acknowledged, recognized.

It made people very happy.

But was Linwin's acknowledgment tonight considered recognition?

Kai'Sa felt somewhat strange.

This... must be the "harassment" Uncle Zoran mentioned.

But...

Harassed, shouldn't she be angry? Why am I happy?

"Is it pretty?"

"Clearly Powder's legs are prettier..."

"And..."

"I actually don't need to sleep."

Saying that, she obediently closed her eyes.

---

At the same time, on the other side.

Returning to his room, Linwin buried his head in the pillow.

In a muffled low growl:

"What the hell did I just say!!!!"

"Am I insane?"

Heartbeat racing.

Linwin realized he was being foolish.

Different from getting close to Vi, different from getting close to Powder.

Clearly, when he hugged Vi or held Powder, it wouldn't be like this.

But it was just touching a leg.

No, helping her take off her shoes!

Why... why did something like this happen?

"Zoran... you."

"Damn it."

"Could it be that old Zoran and Jayce is correct?"

This kind of feeling....

Linwin knew what it was.